Yay, Mexico Day!
Until I went to write this post, that was the extent of my knowledge about this holiday (and even this is kind of wrong). You would think at some point in years past I would have been like “Hmm, I wonder why I’m wearing a sombrero and drinking way too many margaritas today…” but, alas, that would be the thinking of a tequilla-less person. BUT, there is no time like the present, and at present I am pre-margarita and pro-curiosity so google away I have.
For those of you who have joined me in ignorance up until this point, I’ll give you the cliff notes, but for those of you who are caught up on your Mexican/American History please feel free to skim ahead for cute cats in hats.
Cinco De Mayo: An abridged history in one breath
(this is the part where you imagine we’re bff’s chatting over coffee instead of internet strangers)
French troops invade Puebla, Mexico on May 5th, 1862. Mexican troops, outnumbered 2-1, tell France to take a hike. The victory becomes a symbol of the Mexican underdog story. That spirit spreads to Union troops in the midst of the Civil War. Inspirational parades, dances, speeches, and bull fights are thrown on May 5th. In true American fashion, we continue any excuse to have a shindig, and the holiday actually becomes bigger in the US than it is in Mexico.
(For a more fact heavy history check out this video on history.com)
Now for some cats in hats
The Meowntain 